WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Excelling in one of the area’s most grueling running events on Saturday, Sgt. Adam Stroik, with Fort Riley’s 1st Infantry Division, also honored a fallen soldier.

Competing in the annual 6/12/24 Hour Run at Chapin Park in South Wichita, Stroik ran over 50 miles in an ultramarathon and carried a United States flag along the way for his buddy and mentor, Staff Sgt. Mark Stets Jr., who died in defense of America in Pakistan.

Stroik travels around the U.S. to participate in events that bring awareness to Soldiers who gave their lives while serving their country.

Along with running to remember and relive Stets’ memory, Stroik say it’s also a way for him to deal with his own stress and combat stress.

Shortly before starting his 50-plus mile run on a cold Wichita morning, Stroik told KSN, “It’s pretty much non-stop, you gather yourself, you pick yourself up when you need to, but keep taking those steps and moving forward.”